Window regulator



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J. H. ROETHEL WINDOW REGULATOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 45; f? if ez el. Ams.

1% INVENTOR miss Filed June 12, 1939 y 1943. .1. H. Roma. 2,3199% VINDOWREGULATOR Filed Julie 12, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 A TTORN Y5.

Patented May 11, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFECE EVINDOW RE GULATORApplication June 12, 1939, Serial No. 278,59?

7 Claims.

This invention relates to window regulators for raising and lowering theglass or transparent panels of windows, particularly windows ofautomobiles. The invention is especially useful as applied to the windowstructure for a vehicle body having a window frame provided with awindow well formed between inner and outer body or door panels withinwhich the window regulator of the present invention is installed.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved window regulatorincluding a swinging arm adapted to be connected to the lower edge ofthe window panel and improved mechanism of compact, durable andefficient construction for swinging the arm to raise and lower the panelin substantially a straight line path without material cooking ortilting of the panel by moving in substantially a straight line path thepivotal point of connection between the arm and the window panel.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved. windowregulator having a swinging driving arm and gear mechanism mounted onthe driving arm for operating a second arm adapted to be connected to awindow panel for raising and lowering the same.

Other objects of this invention will appear in the following descriptionand appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawingsforming a part of this specification wherein like reference charactersdesignate corresponding parts in the several views.

Fig. 1 is an inner fragmentary side elevation, partly broken away andpartly in section, of an automobile door embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken substantially throughlines 2-2 of Fig. 6 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken substantially throughlines 3-3 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary side view illustrating the guidingmeans.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged section taken substantially through lines 5-5 ofFig. 6 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 6 is a side view of the window regulator.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary side view of the control arms of the windowregulator, some of the gearing being removed.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged section taken substantially through lines 8-8 ofFig. 6 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 8 illustratin the parts preparatory tothe assembly thereof,

Fig. 10 is a face view of the snap-on washer.

Before explaining in detail the present invention it is to be understoodthat the invention is not limited in its application to the details ofconstruction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, since the invention is capable of other embodiments and ofbei-n practiced or carried out in various ways. Also it is to beunderstood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is forthe purpose of description and not of limitation, and it is not intendedto limit the invention claimed herein beyond the requirements of theprior art.

In the drawings there is illustrated one embodiment of the inventionapplied, by way of example, to an automobile door. It will beunderstood, however, that the embodiment herein exemplified in part orin whole may be utilized in other relations and in other structures, andin particular that the window regulator and the guiding means for thewindow panel may be used conjointly or independently of each othergenerally in vehicle bodies or the like in connection with window panelswhich are adapted to be raised and lowered.

In Fig. 1 there is illustrated an automobile door A including uprightside pillars Hi and H joined by a header I2, thus providing a windowframe in the form of a closed figure defining a main window openingadapted to be closed by means of a vertically slidable glass or othertransparent panel l3. The Window framing may be provided with grooves orglass runway channels l4, terminating at the bottom of the windowopening, and designed to receive the edges of the panel I3.

Secured to the lower edge of the glass panel i3 is a channel bar orglass retainer member l5 to which the window regulator is adapted to beconnected as hereinafter described. The window panel 13 is guided withinthe window well through the medium of spaced upright channel guides ISfixed in any suitable manner within the window well, the channel member15 carrying guide devices at opposite ends thereof. generally indicatedby the numeral H, which travel upon the fixed guides l8.

As shown in Fig. 3 each g ide It is in the form of a channel having abase and inwardly extending parallel flanges l'fia. Within each guide Itis mounted a channel strip it which is held therein by the inturnedflanges l9 at the outer edges of the flanges 16a. The insert channelstrip l8 may be installed by telescoping it through the end of thechannel 16 after the flanges l9 have been formed or the flanges l9preferably spot welded to the bottom of the channel I5. The side flanges2|a are provided with parallel horizontal slots 22 closed at the rearends thereof and opening at the forward edges of the flanges 2|a. Thebracket 2| carries a roller device which comprises a pair of laterallyspaced annular roller elements 23 engageable with the parallel tracks orrails for-med by the turned edges |9 of the channel guide l6. Adjacenteach roller element 23 is an annular flange 24 which projects into thechannel guide and overlaps the inner edge portions of the flanges |6a.The roller elements 23 may be integrally or otherwise connected by ashaft portion 25. The shaft 25 is engaged by one end of a tension spring26 which may comprise a length of spring wire having one or moreintermediate coils, the opposite end of the spring being hooked throughan aperture in one of the flanges 2|a of the bracket. The shaft 25 isturned down centrally at 21 to a relatively narrow diameter at whichpoint the end of the spring 26 engages,

the annular parts of the shaft at opposite sides of the constrictedportion 21 being of sufficient diameter to overlap the edges of theslots 22.

The guide device or roller guide unit I! at the opposite end, such asthe rear end, of the bottom edge of the window panel may comprise abracket 28 also in the form of an inverted channel piece having itscentral web spot welded to the bottom of the channel member l5. Thisbracket 28 has downturned spaced parallel flanges similar to the bracket2| and these flanges are provided with parallel horizontal slots 29reversed with respect to the slots 22 so that the inner ends of theslots are open and the outer ends are closed. The

roller unit carried by the bracket 28 may be the same as the roller unitcarried by the bracket 2|, the flanged rollers 23, 24 in like mannerbeing carried by a shaft 25 slidable within the slots 29, the centralreduced portion 21 of the shaft 25 in this instance being engaged by oneend of a tension spring 39. Although the spring 30 is similar to thespring 26 it is preferred that the spring 38 be formed of heavier springwire so as to exert greater force or effort upon the shaft 25 of theroller unit carried by the bracket 28. In other words, as hereinexemplified by way of example, the effort exerted by the spring 38 isgreater than the effort exerted by the spring 26. Hence, during normaloperation as the window panel I3 is raised and lowered the spring 30will hold the window over so that the shaft 25 at the left in Fig. 4will be forced back against the action of spring 26 to the closed endsof the slots 22. The spring 38, after assembling the window panel, is atall times under tension and the shaft 25 at the right in Fig. 4 willnormally occupy an intermediate position in the slots 29 as shown insaid figure. Thus, since the effort of spring 38 will overcome theeffort of spring 26 the roller engaged by the latter spring willnormally operate as a solid unsprung roller. However, in the event ofunusual pressure of the right hand roller 24 in Fig. 4 against thechannel guide I6, such as by reason of a longitudinal force against thewindow glass or the cramping action of a window regulator, which willresult in forcing the shaft back against the spring 38, the oppositeroller will not become disconnected from its channel guide l6 or fail totrack thereupon since in such instance the spring 26 will move theroller shaft within the slots 22 and yieldingly hold the roller at alltimes in engagement with the tracks of the channel guide. Normally,however, one of the rollers, which is engaged bythe lighter spring, willtravel solidly against the channel guide and thus maintain one uprightedge of the window glass in predetermined alinement or position. It willbe seen in Fig. 4 that an abutment 2|b projects into the open end of theslots 22 so as to limit the travel of the roller shaft within theseslots. If desired a similar stop at the extreme open ends of the slots29 may be provided to limit extreme retraction of the opposite rollershaft.

In the present instance the window regulator for raising and loweringthe window panel I3 is of the single arm center point lift type comprising a suitable pressed metal mounting plate 3| having tapped screwbosses 32 by which it may be secured to the inner door or body panel Iin the usual manner. Journalled in a bearing in the plate 3| is a pivotshoulder stud 33 which has a fiat sided extension 33a. rigidly fixed inan aperture in a gear segment 34. Mounted upon the face of the gear 34and riveted thereto through the stud portion 33a and a rivet 35a is aprojecting arm 35, this arm swinging with the gear as the latterrotates. One end of the stud 33 is formed with a slot or kerf 33b toreceive one end of a spiral spring 36, the opposite end of the springbeing connected to the mounting plate 3|.

Riveted at 38 to th mounting plate 3| is an arcuate strip gear 31 havingmarginal gear teeth 31a. which extend along but spaced rearwardly fromthe correspondingly curved arcuate edge 3|a of the plate. The gear 34may be driven in conventional manner through a drive pinion secured on ahandle shaft 39 which preferably includes in its length a frictionclutch of any conventional type.

Mounted upon the outer end portion of the control arm 35 is a gear 48,this gear being flxed by riveting to a pivot shoulder stud 4|, the studhaving an annular portion 4|a journalled within a bearing in the arm 35.The gear 40 has peripheral gear teeth meshing with the teeth 31a of thestrip gear 31 and also meshing with the teeth of a gear 42 of smallerdiameter which is mounted upon the outer end of the arm 35 through themedium of a pivot shoulder stud 43. The stud 43 is fixed to the gear 42and has an annular portion 43a Journalled within a hearing in the arm35. At the opposite face of the arm 35 there is secured by riveting tothe stud 43 one end of a swinging arm 44. This arm normally, when thewindow is fully raised, extends at an angle, such as an angle ofsubstantially to the arm 35 and is connected at its outer end to adepending bracket, as hereinafter described, secured to the channel l5at substantially the center point of the window l3.

It will be seen that the gearing 31, 40 and 42 extends in the same planeand that the meshing gears 48 and 42 lie at one face of the arm 35.

' This arm has an offset 35b adapted to follow the aerego'ssi curvatureof the? edge; 3.1a duringzoperatiomsaid edge preferably having;itscenter: of: curvature at the pivot 3-3. 'I-hezoffset b causesthe-outer end of the arm. to; extend substantially. in the plane of.thegear-34; It is also preferredthat the arm. 35 be provided-withenlarged. or. widened portions 45 and formed with. circular raisedembossments: 46 and 48f respectively; see Figs, 2 and 7. The gearengagestheembossment. 46 and preferably has substantially av linecontact therewith and in like manner the. gear 42 engages'and turnsupon:the emb.ossment.:48.. These embossments space the gears over" theirmajor areas from the arm. 35' and. also position the gears in the planeof the stripigear'31; If desired. this. construction may be reversed.and. the embossments formedon. the: gears 49' and 42. From this.construction it will'be seen that the gears: 40 and 42: are. supported.by the. bearing bosses 46 and148. very near. the marginaled'ges ofthe'gears; thus preventing. these gears from twisting or. cocking andpreventing their teeth from becoming disengaged. Thisis particularlyadvantageous since it permits the gears to be stamped. or. formed fromrelatively thin. or inexpensivesheetmetal stockand avoids the necessityof using expensive guides. andv very heavy or hardened? gears which-Lcannot be economically stamped or punched. out from sheet metal.Moreover, the overlapping of the gear 40 upon the edge of. the plate 3|together with the-supporting embossed bearing 46 holds this gear at all:times in mesh withthe strip'gear. 31; Thus, the gears. are free torotate. with aminimum of frictional resistance and are at all times.supported and held against any tendency to become disengaged.

In the present instance the outer end of the swinging arm 44 isconnected to the lower edge of the window glass in simple and improvedmanner as particularly illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9. Riveted to theouter end of the arm 44 is a stud 49 which has cylindrical bearingportions 59 and 5| of different diameters forming a shoulder 52therebetween, the outer portion 5| of the stud having an annular groove53 also forming a shoulder. Secured as by spot welding to the bottom ofthe retainer channel I5 is a marginally flanged bracket 54. Thedepending wall of this bracket has preferably a circular aperture withinwhich the portion 5| of the stud fits. The depending wall of the bracketis countersunk at 55 to provide an inwardly flared or taperedconstruction, the edges of the aperture being flanged out at 55a toprovide a flat bearing surface around the aperture. A snap-on or clinchwasher is provided for holding the stud within the aperture in thebracket. This retainer or clinch washer comprises a thin flat metal bandor ring 56 having an enlarged central aperture within which projects aseries of generally radially extending but outwardly flared springtongues 51 integral with the marginal band 56 of the washer. This washeris preferably formed from a single piece of relatively thin sheet metalstock, the washer being reinforced around its peripheral edge by a metalring 58 which is folded over the edge of the washer and adapted to bearagainst the edge flanges 55a. Slidingly mounted upon the cylindricalportion 59 of the stud 49 is a dished metal washer 59 which has a flaredor tapered edge portion engageable with the flared or countersunkportion 55. The washer 59 provides a retainer for one end of a conicalspring 60 interposed between the washer and arm 44.

As shown: in'li'ig. 9; the stud.49.-5'|i maybe inserted: transverselythrough. theaperture.- in. the

wall. 55'. When the stud" is passed through the aperture by: pressing.upon the end of the arm 44 the washer 59 willv be forced back tocompress thespring. 60. At the same timethesnapon washer 561is forcedover the rounded. end of the stud 49 whichv serves to. spread somewhatthe springprongs5'l. When the washer reaches the position. of Fig. 8 theprongswill spring or snap into: locked position behind the. shoulderformed by the groove 53 whereupon the washer 55 by reason of theinclination of the spring prongs 51 is looked upon the stud and the studis heldzagainst removal from the aperture in the wall.55.. At the sametime the snap-on washer by its engagement with the flanging 55a will"hold the spring 69 at all times undercompression.

It will be seen that the regulator arm-may be assembled or connected upto' the channel l5 at either. limit of the normal range of operation ofthe glass. It is merely necessary at such- Limit to spring back the arm44' sufficiently to register the stud 49 with the hole in bracket 54',release the arm to cause the stud to enter thehol'e, and then. force thesnap-on washer onto the stud. Thisisimple operation saves time on theassembly line, saves labor costs and provides an extremely neat, simpleand efficient construction.

Itwill be understoodthat the ratio ofthe drive or main gear 34' tothecompensating gears 31 and 42, the gear 45! constituting in efiect anidler between the gearing 3l'and M, is such that as the arm 35 is swungup and down to raise and lower the window panel the pivot point 49 of:the arm 44 with bracket 54" will travel vertically insubstantially astraight line. Thus, during this operation when the arm 35 reaches ahorizontal position the arm 44 will also be in a substantiallyhorizontal position parallel thereto. This construction is preferred,although not necessarily essential, since by providing a straight linecenter lift the window panel l3 will be precluded from cooking ortilting in its plane by reason of the operation of the window regulator.The gear 49 may be limited at each end of its travel upon the strip gear31 by stops tic which comprise terminal extensions of embcssings 3H)formed integrally in the mounting plate 3|. Thus, at either end of thestroke of the arm 35 the gear 49 will be prevented from running oiT thegear 31 by engagement with the embossed portions 3Ic of the plate.

I claim:

1. A window regulator comprising a gear adapted to be mounted forrotation upon a fixed support at one side thereof, said gear having aprojecting arm, a pair of meshing gears on said arm at one face thereof,a fixed gear adapted to be mounted on the support and meshing with onegear of said pair, a swinging arm secured to the other gear of saidpair, said gears being constructed to move the outer end of saidswinging arm in substantially a straight line path, said first namedgear being interposed between said projecting arm and the support andsaid fixed gear being mounted upon the support at the side opposite tosaid first named gear.

2. A window regulator comprising a mounting plate, a main gear mountedfor rotation upon said plate and having a projecting arm, a pair ofmeshing gears on said arm at one face thereof, fixed gear teeth on theplate in the plane of said pair of gears and meshing with one thereof,said last gear overlapping an edge of the plate and said main gear beinginterposed between the arm and plate at the side of the plate oppositeto said gear teeth, a swinging arm secured to the other one of said pairof gears, and means for connecting the outer end of said swinging arm toa memher at the lower edge of a window panel.

3. A window regulator comprising a mounting plate, a gear pivotallymounted at one face of said plate and having a projecting driving armswingable with the gear, a fixed sector gear mounted at the oppositeface of the plate, a pair of rotatable different diameter meshing gearsmounted on said driving arm in the plane of said sector gear, the innerof said meshing gears overlapping said second mentioned face of theplate and meshing with said sector gear, a swinging arm adapted to beconnected at its outer end to the lower edge of a window panel andsecured at its inner end to turn with the outer of said pair of meshinggears.

4. A window regulator comprising a mounting plate, a gear pivotallymounted at one face of said plate and having a projecting driving armswingable with the gear, a fixed sector gear mounted at the oppositeface of the plate, a pair of rotatable different diameter meshing gearsmounted on said drivingarm in the plane of said sector gear, the innerof said meshing gears overlapping said second mentioned face of theplate and meshing with said sector gear, a swinging arm adapted to beconnected at its outer end to the lower edge of a window panel andsecured at its inner end to turn with the outer of said pair of meshinggears, said inner end being mounted on the driving arm at the facethereof opposite to said outer gear.

5. A window regulator comprising a mounting plate, a gear pivotallymounted at one face of said plate and having a projecting driving armswingable with the gear, an arcuate series of gear teeth fixed to theplate adjacent the edge thereof at the opposite face of the plate, afirst gear on said driving arm meshing with said gear teeth androtatable upon the arm, a second gear meshing with the first gear androtatable upon the driving arm, said gears and gear teeth lying in thesame plane at the same face of the driving arm, and a swinging arm forraising and lowering a window panel, said arm being fixed to the secondgear and overlapping the opposite face of the driving arm.

6. A window regulator comprising a mounting plate, a gear pivotallymounted at one face of said plate and having a projecting driving armswingable with the gear, an arcuate Series of gear teeth fixed to theplate adjacent the edge ihereof at the opposite face of the plate, afirst gear on said driving arm meshing with said gear teeth androtatable upon the arm, a second gear meshing with the-first gear androtatable upon the driving arm, said gears and gear teeth lying in thesame plane at the same face of the driving arm, a swinging arm forraising and lowering a window panel, a pivot rotatable in said drivingarm and fixed at opposite ends to said swinging arm and second gear.

'7. A window regulator according to claim 5 in which the driving arm isoffset to extend substantially in the plane of the mounting plate and inclose proximity thereto at the side thereof opposite to said gear teeth.

JOHN H. ROETHEL.

